About Immaculate Conception · Ira Township, Michigan
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, often called simply "IC," is a parish in the Anchorville area of Ira Township, Michigan, located on the northern shore of Lake St. Clair at the intersection of M-29 (Dixie Highway) and Church Road. Founded in 1853 as one of the earliest Catholic parishes in the region, it belongs to the Archdiocese of Detroit (Blue Water Vicariate) and today operates as a parish, a preschool-through-8th-grade Catholic school, a faith formation program, and a parish cemetery. Under the pastoral leadership of Fr. Joe Esper (since 2012), the parish continues to grow as a community of worship, lifelong formation, and outreach to the needy along Anchor Bay in northeast Macomb and St. Clair Counties.
- Established
- 1853
- Patron
- Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Rev. Joseph (Joe) Esper
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Detroit (Blue Water Vicariate)
Why belong here
Immaculate Conception offers the rhythm and reach of a long-established parish — daily and weekend Masses, year-round Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration, and a Monday-night Mass of Reparation — paired with the full life of a Catholic school (preschool through 8th grade), an OCIA/RCIA process for adults, faith formation for every age from Disciples Den (ages 3–5) through Confirmation Prep, and active youth ministry (EDGE middle school and SHINE high school). Add to that a parish cemetery, a Knights of Columbus council chartered here in 1991, St. Vincent de Paul outreach, a pro-life Life Issues Committee, Grief Support, and more than 80 liturgical ministers serving weekend Masses, and IC is a place where newcomers can worship, form their children, serve their neighbors, and be accompanied through every stage of life on the shores of Anchor Bay.
Mass times at Immaculate Conception
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday following the 8:30 AM Mass (approximately 9:00 AM)
- Third Monday of the month at 6:15 PM (prior to the Mass of Reparation)
- By appointment through the parish office (586-725-3051)
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration is referenced as a parish devotion (contact the parish office for current schedule)
A Brief History of Our Parish
Immaculate Conception traces its story to 1679, when Fr. Louis Hennepin came ashore from LaSalle's ship The Griffon and planted a cross near present-day Anchorville. Eighteenth-century French-Canadian Catholic settlers were followed by waves of immigrants from France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, and Switzerland. In 1853, Bishop Peter Paul Lefevere of the Detroit Diocese sent Rev. Charles A. Chambille as the first resident pastor; the church was dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on October 15, 1853, with the original log-cabin church built on land donated by Etienne Rose — on the exact site where the present church now stands.
Key Moments in Parish Life
On August 26, 1917, the entire complex — church, rectory, sisters' home, and school — was destroyed by fire under Fr. James S. Downey, who led the rebuilding within a year and served 22 years until his sudden death on September 19, 1935. A new school replaced the four-room school in 1959 (expanded with eight classrooms in 1966), closed in 1971, and reopened in 1976. The Knights of Columbus Au Lac Council #10724 was chartered at the parish on December 8, 1991, and a modern parish hall, school gymnasium, and converted parish offices opened in 2005.
- 1853 — Parish dedicated October 15; first log cabin church built on present-day site
- 1917 — Fire destroys entire complex; rebuilt within a year under Fr. James S. Downey
- 1959 — New school built; expanded 1966 with eight additional classrooms
- 1971 — School closed due to reduced state funding
- 1976 — School reopens; Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated August 22 by Fr. Harry Paul
- 1991 — Knights of Columbus Au Lac Council #10724 chartered (December 8)
- 2004–2005 — Parish hall, school gymnasium, and new parish offices (former Citizens State Bank) completed
Mission & Identity
As a faith community in the Roman Catholic tradition and as part of the Archdiocese of Detroit, the people of Immaculate Conception Parish seek to live as followers of Jesus Christ, formed through the grace of the Holy Spirit as servants and heralds of the Gospel. The parish strives to be a place of refuge and growth for all those seeking to know Jesus Christ through authentic lifelong formation, outreach to the needy, and the invitation to active participation by all parishioners.
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at Immaculate Conception is described as more than educational — it is a journey of heart that helps children form a solid foundation in Christ. Classes meet on Mondays at the Faith Formation offices (7043 Church Rd), with Confirmation Prep I & II for Grades 7–8 from 6:15–7:30 PM and K–Grade 6 from 5:15–6:30 PM. Disciples Den welcomes ages 3–5 on Sundays at 10:00 AM through play, storytelling, songs, and crafts.
- Faith Formation Office — 586-725-1762 — [email protected]
- Disciples Den (ages 3–5) — Sundays, 10:00 AM
- Kindergarten–Grade 6 — Mondays, 5:15–6:30 PM
- Confirmation Prep I & II (Grades 7–8) — Mondays, 6:15–7:30 PM
- Adult Faith Formation / Adult Bible Study — contact the Faith Formation Office
- Vacation Bible School (VBS) — coordinated through the parish
OCIA — Becoming Catholic
The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (formerly RCIA) welcomes adolescents and adults who have not been baptized (catechumens), those baptized in another Christian tradition seeking full communion (candidates), and baptized Catholics who did not complete their Sacraments of Initiation. An inquiry/pre-catechumenate phase is offered before any commitment, with one-hour inquiry sessions on Tuesdays following the 6:30 PM Mass (or 7:15 PM in the parish hall) and weekly Sunday-morning sessions beginning in early October.
- OCIA — contact the Faith Formation Office at 586-725-1762
- Inquiry sessions: Tuesdays following 6:30 PM Mass / 7:15 PM in parish hall
- Weekly sessions begin on Sunday mornings in early October
Immaculate Conception Catholic School
Immaculate Conception Catholic School is a private, Catholic school serving preschool through 8th grade, located at 7043 Church Road, Ira Township (next to the parish). For over a century and a half, the school has faithfully served the northeast Macomb County and St. Clair County communities on the shores of Anchor Bay, integrating Catholic faith and Christian values into every part of the educational experience — in the classroom, on the athletic field, and in church. The school office can be reached at 586-725-0078.
- Principal: Lawrence Ricard
- School Secretary: Kim Wolf
- School Office: 586-725-0078 — [email protected]
- Address: 7043 Church Road, Ira Twp., Michigan 48023
- Programs for preschool through 8th grade
- Website: https://www.immaculateconceptionschool.org/
Youth Ministry
Immaculate Conception runs year-round youth ministry for middle and high school students, coordinated by Laura Somogy. EDGE serves middle-school youth and SHINE serves high-school youth, both with regular gatherings, faith formation, and community service opportunities. Contact the Faith Formation Office at 586-725-1762 or [email protected] for current schedules.
- EDGE — Middle School Youth Group
- SHINE — High School Youth Group
- Youth Ministry contact: Laura Somogy, 810-334-5101 — [email protected]
Liturgical Ministries
Around 80 dedicated parishioners serve the parish's weekend Masses. Liturgical ministries are coordinated by the Pastoral Associate, Tina Kovalcik. Training is provided for each ministry, with a commissioning ceremony and Archdiocese of Detroit certification where required. Open to parishioners who have received Baptism, Holy Communion, and Confirmation and are Catholics in good standing.
- Altar Servers (youth in 3rd grade or higher)
- Ushers / Weekend Greeters (Ministers of Hospitality)
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Communion to the Sick and Homebound (visits to The Village of East Harbor)
- Lectors
- Sacristans
- Wedding Coordinators
- Art & Environment, Sacristans, Cantors
Music & Liturgical Arts
Music at Immaculate Conception is directed by Michele Maples and involves cantors and several choirs that enhance the liturgy throughout the year. Choir membership is open to adults, youth, and children, with a handbell choir and a funeral choir also listed among parish ensembles.
- Music Director: Michele Maples — [email protected]
- Adult Choir
- Youth Choir
- Children's Choir
- Handbell Choir
- Funeral Choir
- Cantors
Parish Cemetery
The Immaculate Conception parish cemetery has its origins in the earliest days of the parish: Etienne Rose, one of the first settlers, deeded land for the cemetery at the same time he donated the land on which the first log-cabin church was built. Today the cemetery is maintained by the parish's Director of Cemetery and Facilities, Patrick Pordon.
- Director of Cemetery: Patrick Pordon — 586-725-3051 ext. 117 — [email protected]
- Genealogy researchers are advised to contact the parish office for assistance
Christian Service, Outreach & Parish Life
Outreach at Immaculate Conception is coordinated through the Christian Service Commission and a wide range of practical and prayerful ministries. The parish welcomes new parishioners and visitors through its Ambassador Program (Welcome Team) and gathers socially with Coffee & Donuts, Funeral Luncheons, and parish-life events.
- Christian Service Commission
- St. Vincent de Paul
- Life Issues Committee (Passionately Pro-Life)
- Grief Support
- Loving Hands
- Funeral Luncheon
- Coffee & Donuts
- St. Joseph Layette
- Stars of Christmas
- Handcrafters
- Our Lady of Fatima devotion
- Rosary Makers
- Ambassador Program (Welcome Team)
- Red Cross Blood Drive
Knights of Columbus — Au Lac Council #10724
On December 8, 1991 — the patronal feast day — the Au Lac (at the Lake) Council #10724 of the Knights of Columbus was chartered at Immaculate Conception Parish. The council has grown steadily and continues to do many good works for the parish and the surrounding community.
Parish Staff & Directory
Immaculate Conception is led by Pastor Fr. Joe Esper and Senior Deacons Ken Nowicki and Dave Ebner, supported by a full staff of clergy, school, faith formation, music, facilities, and administrative personnel.
- Pastor: Fr. Joe Esper — 586-725-3051 ext. 113 — [email protected]
- Senior Deacon: Dcn. Ken Nowicki — [email protected]
- Deacon: Dcn. Dave Ebner — 301-991-6400 — [email protected]
- Pastoral Associate / Director of Religious Education: Tina Kovalcik — 586-725-1762 — [email protected]
- Faith Formation Admin: Laurie Hoxsie — 586-725-1762 — [email protected]
- Business Manager / Bookkeeper: Samantha Mehay — 586-725-3051 ext. 111 — [email protected]
- School Principal: Lawrence Ricard — 586-725-0078 — [email protected]
- School Secretary: Kim Wolf — 586-725-0078 — [email protected]
- Music Director: Michele Maples — [email protected]
- Director of Cemetery & Facilities: Patrick Pordon — 586-725-3051 ext. 117 — [email protected]
- Safe Environment Coordinator: Colleen Wooten — 586-725-3051 ext. 110 — [email protected]
- Parish Secretary / Bulletin Editor: Pam LaBelle — 586-725-3051 ext. 112 — [email protected] / [email protected]
- Admin Assistant: Cheryl Koehs — 586-725-3051 ext. 110 — [email protected]
- Youth Ministry: Laura Somogy — 810-334-5101 — [email protected]
- Facility Assistant: Pam Zauner — 586-725-3051 ext. 115 — [email protected]
Visiting, Contact & Office Hours
The parish office, located in the former Citizens State Bank building along M-29 (Dixie Highway), is open Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (closed 12:00–1:00 PM for lunch), and closed on Fridays. The parish welcomes visitors and new parishioners and can be reached at 586-725-3051 or [email protected]. The school office (586-725-0078) and faith formation office (586-725-1762) maintain separate hours.
- Parish Office: 9764 Dixie Hwy, Ira Twp, MI 48023 — 586-725-3051 — [email protected]
- School Office: 7043 Church Rd, Ira Twp, MI 48023 — 586-725-0078
- Faith Formation Office: 7043 Church Rd, Ira Twp, MI 48023 — 586-725-1762
- Office Hours (effective August 2, 2021): Monday–Thursday, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM (closed 12:00–1:00 PM); closed Fridays
Getting to Immaculate Conception
Immaculate Conception Parish sits on the northern shore of Lake St. Clair in the town of Anchorville (Ira Township), at the intersection of M-29 (Dixie Highway) and Church Road. The parish complex includes the church, parish offices (in the former Citizens State Bank building along M-29), the school and Faith Formation offices at 7043 Church Road, a parish hall built in 2004–2005 behind the church, a school gymnasium, and the parish cemetery.
- Church & parish offices: 9764 Dixie Hwy (M-29), Ira Township, MI 48023
- School & Faith Formation: 7043 Church Rd, Ira Township, MI 48023
- Located at the intersection of M-29 (Dixie Highway) and Church Road
- On the northern shore of Lake St. Clair in Anchorville
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Charles Anthony ChambilleOctober 1853 to 1859
Founding pastor; lived with parishioner families until a rectory was built; transferred to Greenfield (now St. Alphonsus, Dearborn); died June 2, 1883.
- Rev. Theophilus Buyse1859 to 1869
- Rev. John F. Elsen1869 to 1873
- Rev. Henry H. Meuffeles1873 to 1892
- Rev. Henry DeGryse1892 to 1913
- Rev. James S. Downey1913 to 1935
Led rebuilding after the 1917 fire that destroyed the church, rectory, convent, and school; 22-year pastor; died suddenly of a heart attack on September 19, 1935, with more than 1,000 attending his Requiem High Mass.
- Rev. Victor Renaud1936 to 1938
- Rev. John Koezler1938 to 1955
- Rev. Harry Paul1955 to 1977
Celebrated the 1976 Mass of Thanksgiving for the reopening of the parish school.
- Rev. Daniel Bogus1977 to 1991
- Rev. Phillip Briffa1991 to 1993
- Rev. Zigismund Kowalczyk1993 to 1999
- Rev. David Burgard1999 to 2008
- Rev. Tomek Maka2008 to 2012
- Rev. Joseph Esper2012 to present
15th pastor in parish history.